Village Hall - Mr Lombardo had been unable to approach Birds Lane residents due to other commitments but hopes to be able to do so soon.

Parish Plan Update – The steering group has now met twice and 20 people have been involved in different capacities. The group has produced a terms of reference document and have requested that the Parish Council provide the group with free use of the village hall, a small sum with which to set up a bank account, and the initial costs of stationery/postage. Mr Disson proposed and Mr Sawyer seconded and the suggestions were accepted unanimously.Mr Sawyer, Mrs Rusbridge and Mr Lombardo will rotate as council representative to the group.

Midgham Green Maintenance – Quotes for grass cutting have been received but Mrs Rusbridge is obtaining one further quote.Mr Disson is expecting one further quote for logs and the councillors agreed that this can be accepted up to a maximum of £500.

Correspondence: Open Spaces - Appeal for FundsTreasurer St Matthew’s Church Council – appeal for help with costs of upkeep West Berks – Winter Service & Adverse Weather planHousing Strategy Consultation

Play area: Inspection report Derek

Date of next meeting: Tuesday December 23rd 2008 or January 27th 2009 at 7.30 p.m.

Public Time – No comments but thanks to Miss Hibberd for sawing up the old bench.

District Councillor’s Report: Mrs Neill reported that Shaw House has now been opened to the public.Parish conference took place last week. Mr Disson, Mrs Rusbridge, and Mrs Berry had attended but did not feel that the matters discussed were particularly interesting or relevant.

Village Hall - A flier had been sent to all village residents asking for volunteers to help run the hall, but unfortunately only one person expressed an interest. Mr Lombardo volunteered to personally contact all residents of Birds Lane to see if anyone felt able to help. Mrs Rusbridge had attended the Village Hall conference and reported that other villages seem to make more use their halls and she felt that some people may be reluctant to get involved due to the increasing number of regulations surrounding risk assessments and health and safety matters. It may be necessary to employ someone to clean the hall between lettings.

Meeting with Dr Markham – Mr Disson circulated a suggested draft of a response to Dr Markham’s complaint. The document was discussed and formally adopted. Councillors noted that there is a difference between comments made by a Parish Council, and comments made by an individual on their own behalf.

Bills to be paid: £66.00 reimbursement to clerk for new cabinets£3.00 reimbursement to Mrs RusbridgeThe Councillors present approved this amount for payment and also an amount to renew the Midgham Parish domain.

Allotments – Clerk had received two enquiries about allotments and had referred the applicants to Woolhampton, who had advised them that they only consider Woolhampton residents. On further investigation, it seems that following a boundary review in 1991, the parish boundary was moved, and Woolhampton Village Hall and the allotments which used to be in Midgham, were ceded to Woolhampton. Clerk to write to Woolhampton parish to check on what arrangements were put in place at that time to ensure that some of the allotments could remain available, and to see if any new allotments could be created west of the current ones..Play Area – No problems to report.

Midgham Green: Various quotes had been received for logs and for maintenance work. The details are to be circulated for consideration by all the councillors. Mrs Rusbridge will also obtain a further quote to add the cutting of grass in the churchyard and at the front of the village hall.

Parish Plan: 9 volunteers attended a meeting on Monday 27th October and are starting a launch group which will meet next on 10th November.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.The next meeting will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 25th November 2008 at 7.30 p.m

Declarations of interest: Mr Sawyer noted an interest on the planning applications for Toad Hall and Water Oak as they are his neighbours.

Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were read approved and signed.

Matters arising: Hill House – a reply had been received from the planning officer at WBC confirming that following a site visit, all planning permissions were satisfied. Clerk to forward reply to Mrs Smith.

District Councillor’s Report: Mrs Neill was unable to attend but had sent a message that she will arrange a meeting with WBC representatives regarding Nursery Copse. Chairman and Mrs Rusbridge will attend.

Village Hall

Discussion postponed until next meeting when Mr Ormrod would be able to present amended documents. Moira will attend CCB Village Hall conference on 4th October.

Meeting with Dr Markham

Item carried forward to next meeting as Mr Ormrod unable to attend this evening.

Clerk noted that 4 drawer cabinet is faulty and that the 2 drawer has collapsed completely. Agreed to canvass other parish councils and BALC in case of spares and was authorised to spend up to £320 if necessary.Clerk also noted that two of the Parish notice boards are open to the weather and that therefore the notices are usually ruined within days. Clerk to obtain quotes for replacement.

West Berks Council –Junior Citizen of the year award – request for nominations Prohibition of heavy vehicles - mainly affecting Crookham Hill Amendments to the Permitted Development regime - relaxing the rules for minor amendments – www.planningportal.gov.ukDistrict Parish Conference 21st October 2008 Chairman and vice chairman to attend.Joint Strategic Planning Unit - gravel extraction consultation document.Brimpton Rd, Earth retaining bund – no comments received from any residents of Brimpton Rd so Chairman will make contact to see if they have any comments.

.Play Area – No problems to report.

Midgham Green: Mrs Rusbridge had obtained a quote for logs to replace the tapes. £220 plus VAT to include installation. She will try to obtain a further quote and also alternative quotes for grass mowing and hedge trimming for the green and the play area.

Parish Plan: A meeting has been arranged for 27th October in the Village Hall with Sarah Ward from CCB. Invitation to go out to all residents.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.40 p.m.

The next meeting will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 28th October 2008 at 7.30 p.m.